Andrew addresses staff and students in the main auditorium of the Barn. (Click to enlarge)

On Monday January 6, 2014, Andrew and the CBC-Colorado staff welcomed students into their new home in Woodland Park. The first day in the new facility was more a celebration than a regularly scheduled school day, and rightfully so; the opening represented the culmination of four-and-half years of hard work, planning, labor, and a new beginning for Charis Bible College.

While the official opening included elements of the typical school day, they were mixed with words of praise, welcoming, dedication and congratulations. After an enthusiastic and room-shaking praise and worship session, several speakers shared brief messages of thanksgiving and encouragement. Speakers included the school's Director, Gary Luecke; AWM's Director of World Outreach, Wendell Parr; the Dean of Students, Greg Mohr; AWM's COO, David Hardesty; AWM board member, Bob Yandian, and of course, Andrew.

The opening day celebration included the prayerful sending out of a missions team headed to the Dominican Republic. (Click to enlarge)Beth Landt, CBC's Dean of Women, opened the second hour with announcements and a few words welcoming the students to the Barn, the first of the two buildings to be erected on the new campus. Beth was followed by Gary Luecke, who shared some statistics related to CBC's impact around the globe and what he believed to be a prophetic word from Genesis 12. After reading verses one through three, Gary said of the new campus, "This is a great place, and this place is a blessing. And, I believe that anybody coming here—attending—you're name will be great, and you shall be blessed."

Gary introduced Wendell Parr, who has been with Andrew since the launch of CBC in 1994. In Wendell's opening remarks he acknowledged the grand step forward for the school when he said, "Well Dorothy, we're not on Robinson Street anymore. This is quite a change from our beginning, but you know what? From day one, it's been about the Word of God, exalting Jesus, and it continues to be that way. And so, it's exciting to see what God is doing."

Greg Mohr, echoed Gary's word from Genesis, and also shared a few words including Scripture from Joshua 1:6. In doing so, Greg encouraged the staff and students to celebrate the new building, the new location and to take possession of the land the Lord has given to Andrew.

Andrew and many of the staff during a moment of prayer at the conclusion of the worship session. (Click to enlarge) David Hardesty, Andrew's General Manager, who has been serving AWM in various capacities since 1987, made the point that while the Woodland Park campus is Andrew's fifth location; it is the first property he has developed from the ground up. David went on, sometimes emotionally, to share a few of the financial details that made the building possible. While it has taken a large number of people, giving very generously, to make this campus a reality, David could still recall the person who made the first donation of $100 toward The Sanctuary project back in June of 2009. He went on to share that CBC and the students had donated 1.2 million since 2009, and that AWM had invested eight-million since the beginning. But it was when he announced that friends outside the ministry, Andrew's partners and foundation builders, had given more than 27-million dollars since the project began, that the God-sized nature of this project was made evident. David went on to praise God, and the many men and women it took to bring the project together.

Longtime friend, and AWM board member, Bob Yandian, wrapped up the comments shared by guest speakers. Bob remembered years ago, when Andrew told the board that he was taking the limits off God, and he remembered wondering at the time what Andrew meant; the ministry was already doing well. Now, as Bob looks back, he recognizes the transition that took place when Andrew lifted the limits. The ministry left the realm of added blessings (Matthew 6:33), and moved ahead into to the arena of multiplied blessings. Bob said things began to move so fast that he felt they were just hanging on for the ride, and that continues to this day. "But I like this," said Bob, "In all of that, Andrew hasn't changed; he's still Andrew—he hasn't changed a bit."

Gary Luecke welcomes Andrew and Jamie to the platform for the first time in the new building. (Click to enlarge)Andrew and Jamie stepped on to the platform for the first time during hour three. After pointing out that the project has never been about the buildings as much as it has always been about creating a place to exalt Jesus and increase the school's capacity to train and reach more people, he acknowledged it was indeed a day to celebrate the building itself. Andrew said, "This is the only first day in a new building we'll ever have." Referencing his teaching, Staying Full of God, he went on to comment that it is important to value and prize what God has done, and to be thankful. "We need to value this. Our partners have built this building so we can train people and change people's lives...I tell you, this is a miracle...It's only God that did this," said Andrew.

During the final hour of the class schedule, staff and students were free to explore the facility and enjoy the celebration—which of course included cake, coffee and other treats!

While there are several projects and punch-list items yet to be completed at the Barn, thanks to Andrew's partners and foundation builders, the doors are open, students are engaged and the world is being changed.

Here are more images from the opening day celebration...enjoy!

Andrew welcoming an appreciative second-year student. (Click to enlarge)Andrew greeting two first-year students before the worship service began. (Click to enlarge)

What better way to open the day's celebration than to praise the One who made it all possible? (Click)The worship team's enthusiasm was contagious!(Click to enlarge)

The words on the screen say it all...The project came together supernaturally. (Click to enlarge)A packed house deep in worship, thankful for a new place to call home. (Click to enlarge)

Gary Luecke, the Director of Charis Bible College in Colorado. (Click to enlarge)AWM's Director of World Outreach, Wendell Parr.(Click to enlarge)

CBC's Dean of Students, Greg Mohr. (Click to enlarge)The General Manager and COO of Andrew Wommack Ministries, David Hardesty. (Click to enlarge)

AWM board member, Bob Yandian.(Click to enlarge)Andrew and Jamie taking the stage for the first time in the new building. (Click to enlarge)

Andrew teaching, training and imparting from the moment he stepped on the stage. (Click to enlarge)CBC second-year classroom on the Barn's lower level. (Click to enlarge)

Students preparing for the celebration and building tours. (Click to enlarge)One last quiet view of a lower level hallway.(Click to enlarge)

Reader Comments (19)

Hi Thanks for posting the images of the opening day for the BARN.Really blessed are the eyes that see the Miracle/Blessing of the LORD.It is a blessing to my eyes to see the WORD OF GOD COMING ALIVE infront of you.Really you are a Blessing ANDREW ,JAMIE AND ALL THE TEAM OF AWM.

Trust & Obey!For there is no other way.To be Happy in Jesus!Than to Trust & Obey!

Andrew, Thank you for being obedient to God's Will.Partners,Thank you for sharing and trusting God's Blessings.Others,Get ready! God is about to move in a Mighty Way!Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done.On Earth as it is in Heaven!AMEN

Thanks for the good pics of the day posted on this blog. Coincidentally, I have been listening to all 5 sessions of Andrew's conference audio teaching "The Power of Hope" and heard him tell about not giving up regarding the building of this new facility - even when he was told at one point it would not be done... He saw this day! He had positive imagination....hope...based in trust & faith in God. This is good, and a good example to me in my walk with God. I also feel connected in a way, as I am a 1st year "online" student - entering my 2nd semester. I see some of my 'profs' in the audience, and that is pretty cool!

Congratulations, it is a huge blessing to have this beautiful building. I hope to be there once, but it's quite a distance from Holland. Here we are also blessed by the teachings about Gods unconditional love & grace! Spread the Gospel, the Good News, 'nearly too good to be true'!!

Oh how awesome it is to see this miracle manifest. Andrew Wommack's teaches us the Word of God and this shows indeed we must be first transformed in our beliefs/minds and thinking. The result is exactly as his teachings. Praise God I am a part time Charis Bible College (Kenosha WIisconsin) student; humble yet very excited to be part of learning the Word. I pray the day I get to be at this Sanctuary.

Praise the Lord! I rejoice with everyone for such an awesome building for the glory of God. Thank you Father for your love and provision. And a big thank you to every person that contributed to this project, whether it was with resources, time, prayers... I bless everyone of you in the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord!

Glory to God In the Highest.Pictures are beautiful, but I will see the building with my own eyes on thursday at the men's advance, can't wait to be there.Thanks Andrew & Jamie for being obedient to God and for allowing God to manifest it's will to bless His people in these last days. I'm bless and million more because of your faithfulness and for not limiting God. Thanks Rejean Paquette

Love it! CBC Chicago celebrates with you, Andrew & Jamie, staff, students & partners. As Andrew says: You must first see it on the inside before you see it on the outside. Andrew, you have a BIG inside!!! Looking forward to when we join you in the summer!!

Wow, this is so exciting... Have followed the progress of the sanctuary the whole of last year - from about February on - as I have applied to attend Charis CO in the fall this year! We would be coming over from South Africa so it's huge for us.... Seeing the pics of this dream coming true with everybody in there worshipping etc gives excitement (even more) to the prospect of our (God-led, we believe) dream coming true!!!

I'M SO GLAD TO SEE THESE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. I HAVE WAITED IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS. I REGRET NOT BEING A PARTNER SOONER, BUT PRAISE GOD THAT I HAD A SMALL PART IN THIS BUILDING GETTING FINISHED. JUST RECENTLY ANDREW SENT OUT A MAILING FOR ALL OF US TO PLEDGE ABOVE WHAT WE ALREADY DO AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE WITH ME AND SIGN UP TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE TO SEE THIS NEXT PHASE GET DONE. CAN YOU GIVE UP THAT EXTRA CUP OF COFFEE OR GOING OUT TO EAT ONE LESS TIME? COME ON EVERYBODY WHAT BETTER WAY TO GIVE THAN THIS WHEN WE SEE THE RESULTS OF OUR FAITHFULNESS. GOD IS SOOOO GOOD. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN I CAN STEP INTO THIS BUILDING AND SEE IT WITH MY OWN EYES. I AM MOVED WITH PASSION NOW JUST SEEING THESE WONDERFUL PICTURES, AND AT THE SAME TIME ENVIOUS OF ALL THE PEOPLE THERE WHO TOOK THAT LEAP OF FAITH AND ARE FOLLOWING THE WILL OF GOD. PRAISE GOD AND I PRAY 2014 WILL BE OUR YEAR OF FINANCIAL GROWTH AND MIRACULOUS HEALINGS. GO LIVE IN THE PEACE OF GOD!!!!!

This story is a great inspiration to all of us. When God gives us a vision of his will it requires a strong perseverance of faith in God's grace. Thanks to Andrews teachings we are learning how it works.Looking forward to being students this fall.By the way in mentioning what each speaker touched on -you over looked mentioning what Jamie shared.We love you both and praise God for your lives and examples to the body of Christ. What ever you put your hand to shall prosper.Garry and Evie Ross